This chicken and peppers recipe is a classic Italian "Pollo e Peperoni", a Summer version of chicken cacciatore where red bell peppers are used instead of tomato sauce. Bone-in chicken breasts and/or thighs are slowly cooked in a white wine sauce, a simple, one-pot, healthy dinner made with only five ingredients.
This is an Italian dish that is simple enough to make for a weeknight dinner but also so delicate and refined that is perfect for entertaining.
It is very easy to make, it can be made ahead of time and warmed up before serving.
The bell peppers and the white wine add a smooth sweet flavor that combines well with the delicate chicken meat.
For more Italian chicken recipes, you can check chicken with Marsala, breaded chicken breast, chicken nuggets with basil and parmesan, and barbecue chicken breast.
Why bone-in chicken
I have seen recipes using deboned skinless chicken, but you will be missing a lot of flavors and creamy texture if you do not use the bones.
It would be like making chicken stock just with chicken meat. The bones add flavor to the sauce, the cartilage adds creaminess and the skin keeps the meat moist.
My favorite piece is the chicken thigh, as it is juicier than the breast.
Although, a whole chicken works fine for my family, as my husband likes breasts.
However, if I had to choose, I would make this Italian chicken with peppers using only bone-in chicken thighs.
Other ingredients
This recipe uses a lot of bell peppers. It is a great recipe when you have many peppers to use.
- Red bell peppers: I like to use red peppers as I like the color and their taste. You can use a combination of red, green, and yellow peppers for a more colorful option.
- Red onion: I find red onions sweeter than regular ones, but you can substitute it with a regular onion.
- White wine: use a dry white wine or Marsala. This is a key ingredient to the recipe, do not skip this ingredient. Skip it only if you are serving it to children. Although the alcohol evaporates while cooking.
- Herbs: to add flavor, I use thyme, but you can also use basil or parsley instead.
- Salt, black pepper, and olive oil for seasoning: you do not need extra virgin olive oil. Regular olive oil is ok.
Making Italian chicken and peppers
- Cut the chicken into eight parts and separate the wings from the breast.
- Clean and slice the onion and the celery
Hint: cut each breast into two pieces so they are the same size as the thighs and need the same cooking time
- Stir-fry with olive oil
- Add the chicken and stir until browned evenly
- Pour ½ cup of Marsala or white wine and let it evaporate for a few minutes
- Add the peppers cut into long strips and season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook for 40 minutes. Add some parsley or basil for decoration.
How to serve it
You can prepare this chicken for a family meal, or for a dinner party as long as your guests are sitting at the table.
You need a knife and fork to remove the flesh from the bone. I wouldn't serve it at a buffet.
It is a very easy recipe to make, and you can make it the day before and just warm it up before serving it.
As a side dish, you may be tempted to serve it with pasta.
NEVER, if you want to eat it the Italian way. Italians never eat chicken with pasta as pasta is traditionally identified as not refined enough to serve with chicken.
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You can serve fried polenta, Chantarelle mushrooms and potatoes or pilaf rice, something that will soak those juices full of flavor.
For a healthy dinner, I serve it with black rice.
If you are making this Italian chicken with peppers, leave your comment below I would like to hear from you. You can find more delicious ideas if you FOLLOW ME on Facebook, YouTube, or sign up to my newsletter.
📋 Italian Chicken with Peppers
Ingredients (Commissions Earned)
- 1 free range chicken
- 2 red peppers
- 1 onion
- 1 stalk of celery
- 3 sprig thyme
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup Marsala wine or white wine
- salt & pepper
Equipment (Commissions Earned)
Instructions
- Cut the chicken into 6 parts and separate the wings from the breast.1 free range chicken
- Clean and slice the onion and the celery1 onion, 1 stalk of celery
- Stir-fry with olive oil3 tablespoon olive oil
- Add the chicken and stir until brown evenly
- Add the peppers cut into long strips and season with salt and pepper.salt & pepper, 2 red peppers
- Pour ½ cup of Marsala or white wine and let it evaporate for few minutes½ cup Marsala wine
- Add the thyme3 sprig thyme
- Cover and cook for 40 minutes.
- Stir occasionally
- Add some parsley or basil for decoration and serve
Brian Jones
I love dishes like this so simple and so many great flavours... I've been on the hunt for marsala wine here for years and have always come up empty 🙁
Laura
Oh, I had the same problem when living in Norway and any wine was so expensive there. I love cooking with alcohol.
Patty @pattysaveurs.com
That Italian chicken looks scrumptious Laura, when I have guests I like to make recipes that don't keep me away from my guests for too long so this dish would be perfect. I love to use Marsala in my sauces for a different flavor!
Laura
yes, that is exactly what I like on this recipes. You can make it ahead of time
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
I love chicken thighs too and use them regularly over breast so I'll be trying this dish out. Love the peppers and celery - delicious!
Laura
Amanda, we are both chicken thighs fan
Beth
This chicken looks so easy and delicious! And colorful! We love red peppers! I'm definitely giving this a try!
Laura
With the peppers from your garden, you will make this dish superb